REPORT - QPR 2-2 CITY U18s

CITY’s under-18s were held to a 2-2 draw by Queens Park Rangers as goals from Ben Watkins and Macauley Southam topped off a strong showing in London this afternoon.

The young Bluebirds did well to bounce back from Tyrell Mitford’s early goal for the hosts, who scored within 90 seconds of the game beginning to put the home side in front, firing home into the bottom corner of the net.

But City responded within 20 minutes in London as Southam, wearing the Captain’s armband for the Bluebirds, capped off a neat exchange with Tyler Roche on to left to fire past R’s stopper Mark Smith and draw Cardiff level.

The home side pressed to retake the lead, Cole Kpekawa’s header was saved by City ‘keeper Liam Matthews before Mitford was denied a second of the game by the woodwork; Kpekawa this time turning provider for the R’s front man.

But the Bluebirds started the second-half strongly, Abdi Nour threatening with a long-range drive only to see it held by R’s stopper Smith.

City were soon in front however, Dylan Rees’ pinpoint pass releasing Roche in behind the R’s backline before finding Watkins in front of goal who comfortably slotted home to put City ahead.

It took a wonderful effort to deny the Bluebirds all three points. Aaron Mitchell bursting into the City half before unleashing an unstoppable effort past City ‘keeper Matthews to give both sides a share of the spoils.